Award-winning musician King Monada has chickened out of his much-awaited legal showdown with Limpopo Arts Movement chairperson Mphoza Mashabela and begged for an out-of-court settlement instead.
The two were supposed to have faced off on Monday at Ritavi magistrate’s court in Nkowankowa township, outside Tzaneen, after Mashabela took legal action against the
O ska bhora Moreki hitmaker after refused to refund him an
appearance fee, daring him to take him to court.
The artist failed to show up at a festival organised by Mashabela’s in 2022.
But like a dog with its tail between the legs, Monada arrived at the court and nuzzled Mashabela to settle the matter out of court to avoid a bruising legal battle that could have cost him an arm and a leg.
Monada, who owns a fleet of luxury vehicles, pleaded poverty and proposed to pay a portion of the R35,000 booking fee Mashabela had paid him. He also asked not to pay Mashabela’s legal costs and expenses incurred for the marketing and promotion of the festival.
Mashabela canvassed Monada’s request with his lawyer, Harry Thobejane, who agreed to the settlement. The musician agreed to pay a portion of the performance fee within 48 hours.
Mashabela confirmed that the popular singer requested an out-of-court settlement.
“I can confirm that he asked to pay a certain portion of the booking fee because he said he came to the event and spent money on transport. We both agreed to pay our own legal fees, which is not a problem because this was not personal; it was a principle matter and a business decision. I received the money on Wednesday,” he said.
Mashabela expressed his relief at the eventual triumph of justice and his vindication.
“This matter dragged on for a long time. The reason I agreed to the settlement was that I booked him because I love him. Also, I didn’t want to be seen as if I wanted to destroy his brand. My relationship with him is still okay. I’m still going to book him again,” he said.
Monada, real name Khutso Kgatle, raffled Mashabela’s feathers when he failed to show up at the annual Limpopo Legends Awards (Lila), to honour music legends Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Penny Penny and Sello Galane, among
others, in 2022.
As a result of Monada’s snub, Mashabela unleashed Thobejane to sue the musician for
damages.
Afterwards, his manager Albert Makwela wrote a letter to Lila, stating that Monada would perform at the organisation’s event last year instead of refunding the money, and they agreed.
After the agreement, Lila distributed posters and even announced on various radio stations that Monada would be part of the line-up of artists to perform at the event.
However, much to their chagrin, Monada failed to pitch up again. He did so allegedly without providing Mashabela with a cogent reason for dumping them at the 11th hour.
Thobejane later contacted him because he wanted to send him a letter of demand, but the
artist told him that he was not feeling well.
When he contacted the music megastar later, Monada told him he knew nothing about the show and that Makwela should carry the cross for the no-show.
It was then that the lawyers wrote to Monada and demanded a refund of the R35, 000 appearance fee paid to him.
He also wanted him to carry Lila’s legal costs and the reputational damage the organisation suffered as a result of his failure to show up at the jamboree. But Monada refused, insisting that Makwela catch the smoke because he knew nothing about the gig or the money.
Monada he is our young modest fan I think it’s very better to settle everything out of court because it’s going to kill his future as a human being I can understand that King Monada he was not trying to steal the song or to underestimate Mashabela
What Monada has done is to show that he is sorry, other artists should learn from him,no one is above the law.
monada manager mr makwela must take the blame,and the promoter was suppose to make them pay legal fees ,and the full amount they chargered .business is business.